11 January 2006
IFJ, FXI REVIVE REGIONAL JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) have teamed up to revive the Southern African Journalists Association (SAJA) in a bid to build regional support for journalists and media unions who are coming under increasing pressure for reporting the news.
Founded in 2002, SAJA has been lying dormant in recent years due to operational problems. It represents journalists and media workers in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Most of its member unions are affiliates of the IFJ.
With IFJ and FXI's support, SAJA will assist in rebuilding national organisations in countries where existing media unions are weak so that the rights of journalists and the right of the public to access to information are protected.
SAJA will be temporarily housed at, and administered by, FXI until it holds its congress in 2006 and elects a new executive.
For more information contact Console Tleane (tleane@fxi.org.za) or Gabriel Baglo (fijafrica@sentoo.sn or ifjafrique@sentoo.sn).
Visit these links:
- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3611&Language=EN- FXI: http://www.fxi.org.za/